Fertilizer attachment for planters.



. PATENTEDNOV. 5, 1907. c. w. MICHAEL. FERTILIZER ATTACHMENT FOR PLANTERS.

a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

APPLIOATI ON FILED SEPT. 20, 1906.

' 'PATENTED NOV. 5, 1907.

0. W. MICHAEL. FERTILIZER ATTACHMENT FOR PLANTERS.

APPLICATION FILED 8EPT.20.1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

,Lmui HI QPIATENTED NOW. 5. 1907. 0. W-. MICHAEL.

FERTILIZER ATTACHMENT FOB. PLANTBRS.

' APPLIUATION FILED SEPT.20,1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' ."UNITE STAT1E PATEN OFF-ICE;

CLEMENT w. MICHAEL, or BACINE, WIsCCNsIN, Ass eNoR TO .1. I.v CASE PLOW WQRKS, or

= RAGINE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION.

FERTILIZER ATTACIHEENT FOR PLANTEas Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 5, 1907.

i Application filed September 20. 1906 Serial No. 335339.

zen f the United States, and a resident of Racine,

county of Racine, and'State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fer- I tilizer Attachments for Planters, of which the followdevices.

ing is a specification.

The invention relates to fertilizer attachments for planters and inparticular to fertilizer dropping attachments for hill drop or check-row -corn planters and the object of the invention is to provide simple and effective means by which the fertilizer charges may be dropped at different distances from the hills of corn. I

For best results, it'is often desirable to drop the charges of fertilizer at different distances from the separate hills of corn in accordance with the varying conditions of the soil and the varying amounts offertilizer used. Withthe usual fertilizer attachments for corn planters, the seed and fertilizer discharging valves are connected together tobperatesimultaneously, so that the fertilizer and seed'are -always at fixed distances apart. In the present improvement, fneans are provided for dropping the fertilizer and seed at different distances as desired and preferably the seed discharging and fertilizer discharging valves are operated by separate independent mechanisms.

The invention consists in features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafterset forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the seed and fertilizer dropping mechansims with certain parts shown in section on the-line 1- 1 of Fig. 2."

Fig. 2 is a plan ,view of the parts shown in Fig. 1 with; the fertilizer and seed hoppers removed. Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the fertilizer and seed dropping mechanisms with the seed delivery spout and the seed and fertilizer discharging valves shown in section on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 .is a view in elevation of the clutch mechanism with parts shown in section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

The planter to which the improvement is applied is of the usual double row type consisting of a main frame and a front runner frame carrying the seeding A portion only of the machine is shown in the drawings.

The main frame consists of side bars 10 connected by a cross bar 11 and mounted upon the axle 12 of the ground wheels 13. The runner frame comprises the front and rear bars 1ft and 15 connected at their ends by the check row head 16 and intermediate their ends by' the tongue 17 and cross pieces 18 and 19. Sidebars 10 of the main frame are pieces 19 by bolts 20. p

' A seed discharge chute or boot 21 (if-suitable form is pivoted to the cross secured between the-front and rear bars 14 and 15 of the runner frame and thefurrow openeror shoe 22 is secured at its rear end to the lower end of the boot 21, and at its forward end to a brace b'ar'23, which in turn is secured to the front bar 14. A' seed canor hopper 24 is carried upon the upper portion of the casting which ,-forms the boot or hollow runner shank. At its rear'portion, the can bottom is provided with a hook 25 engaging a cross pintle 26 at theupper portion ofthe runner shank 21 and at its forward part the can bottom is provided with a lug'27 that is engaged by a'wing'nut 28 threaded on bolt 29 that is pivoted to the upper portion of the casting. The seed can may be provided with:

any suitable form of seed plate arranged to deliver the seed throiigh a discharge opening 30 (see Fig. 3) which communicates with an opening inthe upper portionv of the boot. The seed plate in the can or hopper24 is driven by a beveled pinion 32 that is fixed to a rotating shaft 33 (see Fig. 2). Shaft 33 issuitably journaled in 'the'upper portion of the casting that forms a boot or hollow runner shank and in the cross barl9 of the runner frame. This operating shaft for the seed plate is driven from the wheel axle 12 through the medium of-a suitable clutch mechanism. A drive chain 34 passes,

over a sprocket wheel 35, that is fixed upon wheel axle 12 (see Fig. 1) and over a sprocket wheel .36 (see Fig. 2)

sprocket 36 and is provid'e'd on its face witha series ofl ratehet teeth 38. A dog' 39 carried uponan arm 40, that is fixed to the shaft 33, is arranged to engage the teeth of the ratchet disk 37 but is normally held out of contact with the teeth-by a trip arm 41 mounted on-"a check-rowrock shaft 42. This rock shaft is journaled in the cross pieces'l8' and 19 of the runner'frame and in the check-row head 16 and carries at its end a fork 43,- which is engaged by the knots on the check-row wire to rock the shaft 42. When the shaft is rocked, the

triparm 41 is thrown back and the-dog 39 engages the teeth 38 of the clutch disk 37 so that the shaft 33 is ro-' tated through one'revolution, when the dog 39 is again thrown out of engagement with the clutch disk by the trip arm 41. 1 i a Any suitable form of clutch mechanism may be employed, that here shown being substantially similar to the clutch set forthin the application of William Sobey and Charles E. Mohr'; S eiia1Na-282A11, filed The boot or hollow runner shank' 21 may be provided Oct. 12, i

with any suitable form of seed delivery valves,-the ar rangernent here shown is substantially similar to that set forth in the patent of William Sobey on combined check-row and drill planters, No. 736,307, dated Aug. The boot or hollow runner shank is divided by a longitudinal partition 44 into a rear seed tube or chute 45 and a forward chamber 46 within which extends a plunger 47. The upper end of the plunger is pivoted to a crank arm 48 that is fixed to the checkrow rock shaft 42. The lower end of the plunger is provided with an extension 48 that rests upon a rearwardly and downwardly inclined shelf 49 at the rear end of the shoe. Pins 50 of the extension 48 of the plunger engage adrop valve 51 that is pivoted to the runnershank at its upper end by a crossbolt 52. The checkrow rock shaft 42 is provided with a hook 53 and a spring 54 extends between the hook and an adjusting bolt 55 that extends through a piece 56 fixed to the rear bar 15 of the runner frame. This spring hods the .rock shaft 42 in normal position with the drop valve 51 closed and the forks on the ends of the shaft at the for- I ward limit of their throw. When the shaft is rocked by the engagement of the knots on a check-row line with the fork 43, the clutch is thrown into operation, as described, to move the seed plate of the hopper 24 and at the same time, the plunger 47 is moved downwardly to open the.valve 51 and push the seed from theshelf49.

A check valve 57 pivoted in "the upper end of the seed tube or chute 45 upon a cross bolt 58, normally 1 lower ends to the side bars 10 of the main frame. The hopper 60 maybe provided with any suitable form of delivery mechanism which is operated by cross shaft (53 journaled in the hopper bottom and driven from the wheel axle 12 by a chain 64 (see Fig. 1) which passes over a sprocket wheel 65 on the wheel axle and a sprocket Wheel 66 on the shaft 63.

The fertilizer passes from the box or hopper 60 througha delivery chute or tube that is, in the form shown, formed of upper and lower telescoping sections 67 and 68. The upper chute section 67 is fixed at its upper end to the seed box or hopper 60 while the lower chute section 68 is fixed at its lower end to a valve casing 69. Valve casing 69 is split or formed of separate cast sections that are held together by bolts 70 and one of the sections-of the valve casing is provided with an extension 71 that is secured to lugs 72 on the rear portion of the boot 21 by bolts 73. The upper section of the fertilizer delivery chute and the-box or hopper for the fertilizer are thus carried on the main frame of the machine while the lower chute section and the delivery valve in the casing69 are carried by the boot or shank 2-1 on the front runner frame. 7

The valve 74 in the casing 69 is provided with pintles 75 extending through the sides of the casing and one of Figs. 1 and 2). The crank 76 is connected by a link to an arm 7-7 on a sleeve 78. The connecting link is preferably form cd of separate sections 79 and 80 that are adjustably threaded together. The sleeve 78 (see Figs. 1 & 2) is journaled upon a horizontal bolt 81 that extends between the arms of a U-shaped bracket 82.

' 83. Sleeve 78 is provided with an upwardly and forwardly projecting arm 84 which is provided with a laterally offset portion arranged to'engage the extension or stop 83. extends between a hook 86 on the sleeve 78 and a hook 87 on the bracket 82 and holds the arm 84 on the sleeve normally in engagement with the stop or extension 83,

closed. v

The arm 84 (see Figs. 1 & 2) is arranged to .be struck and operated by a roller 88 upon the end of a tappet arm 89. This tappet arm is secured to .the shaft 33 by a clamp plate 90 and bolts 91 which extend through. the arm and clamp plate on opposite sides of the shaft. By loosening the'nuts on the bolts 91 the tappet arm may be rotatably adjusted upon the shaft 33 and then clamped in any desired position. i I When the shaft 42 is rocked by a check row line; the drop valve in the bottom of the boot is opened to deposit the hill of corn.

single revolution and tappet arm 89 on the shaft 33 strikes the arm 84 and shifts the parts connected therewith against the tension of the spring to open the fortilizer discharge valve 74.- When the tappet arm 89 is adjusted, asshown in Fig. '1, 'so that it is normally adjacent the arm 84 the fertilizer valve will be opened almost as soon as the seed valve and the fertilizer will be deposited close to the hill of corn. By adjusting the tappet arm 89 so that it normally stands further away from the arm 84, the fertilizer discharge valve will not be opened until the shaft 33 and tappet arm, 89 has traveled through a portion of its movement.

mally stands further and further away from the operating arm 84 of the fertilizer discharge valve,th e latter may be operated'to drop the fertilizer further and further away from the point at which the hill of corn is dropped.

changing the position of the tappet arm 89 upon the shaft 33. v

Where the soil is /poor and a large amount of fertilizer fertilizer shall be d cposited some distance from the hill but where'the soil is rich and when a small amount of it should be dropped quite close to the seed. The improved fertilizcr attachment may be very readily and easily adapted for depositing-the fertilizer at any desired distance from the hill.

It is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the details of structure set forth and that the invention should be broadly construed since it is believed A spring 85 (shown most clearly in Fig. 1)

At the same time, the clutch is thrown into operation to rotate the shaft 33 through a It is obvious, that by adjusting the tappet arm 89 so that it nor 1 is to be deposited at each bill, it is desirable that the fertilizer is to be placed at each hill, it is desirable that these pintles is provided witha crank portion 76 (see Bracket 82 is b'olted to the rear bar 15 of the runner frame and one of its arms is provided with an extension in which position the fertilizer discharge valve 74 is It should also-be noted that this adjustment may be very easily and readily effected simply by 'and fertilizer hoppers. discharge chutes leading from lizer the present invention presents the first instance of a fertilizer attachment which may be readily set to deposit the fertilizer at any desired distance from the hill.

Having described my invention, what; I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

1, in checlerow planters, the combination with the seed id hoppers and valves in said chutes, of means for operating said seed valve and separate adjustable means for operating the fertilizer valve, whereby the fertilizer may be dropped at dili'erent distances from the seed, substantially as described.

in planters. the combination with the seed and [ertilizer discharging devices. of means for variably operating said devices in dilierent timed relation whereby the teriilizer may be dropped at different distances from the seed. It. in check-row planters. the combination with the seed and fertilizer hoppers, discharging chutes leading from said hoppers and discharging valves in the lower ends of said clinics. of actuating devices for said seed discharging valve and separate adjustable actuating devices tor said fertilizer discharging valve. whereby the lertilizer may be dropped at. ditl'erent distances from the seed, substantially as described.

-l. ln planters, the combination with the seed and fertidischarging valves arranged in line. of operating mechanism arranged to variably operate said'valves in different. timed relation. whereby the fertilizer may be dropped at diti'erent distances from the seed. 4 3. ln planters. the combination with the seed and fertilizerdischarging valves arranged in line, of mechanism for actuating the seed discharging valve, separate independent mechanism for actuating the fertilizer discha ging valve and means controlled by the seed valve actuating mechanism for throwing the fertilizer valve actuating mechanism into operation.

ti. ln check-row planters. the combination with the seed dropping mechanism and the lertilizer dropping mechanism arranged in line. otf devices [or variably operating said seed and fertilizer dropping mechanisms. whereby the t'er tilizer may be dropped at different distances from the seed.

substantially as described.

T. in planters. the combination with the seed dropping mechanism anti the fertilizer dropping mechanism in line therewith of actuating means [or said seed dropping meclr anistn and separate adjustable actuating means for said fertilizer dropping mechanism, whereby the fertilizer may be dropped at diti'erent distances from the seed.

N. in planters. the combination with the seed and fertilizer droppingmechanisms and discharging valves therefor. ot actuating means for the seed discharging valve,

' to adjustable actuating means for the fertilizer dis valve and devices controlled by the seed valve actuati means for throw-tug the fertilizer valve actuating means into operation.

2|. ln planters. the combination with the seed and lerand said seed discharging valve, a shaft driven from the valves therefor arranged in line,

ground wheels and means actuated by said shaft for operating the fertilizer discharging valve.

11: in planters, the combination with the seed and fertilizer dropping mechanism and discharging valves therefor, ot a check row lever operatively connected to said seed discharging valve, a shaft driven from the ground wheels. an adjustable tappet; arm on said shaft and means actuated by said tappet arm for tripping the fertilizer dischargin: valve, substantially as described.

12. In planters. the combination with the seed and fertilizcr discharging devices,- of a check rower opcratively connected to said seed discharging devices and means driven from the ground wheels and controlled by said check rowerfor operating the fertilizer discharging device.

13;. In planters, the combination with the seed and fortilizer discharging valves, of a check-row lever connected to the seed discharging valve, mechanism for operating the lertilizer discharging valve, and a clutch controlled by said t-liecleroiv lever for connecting said mechanism to the ground wheels, substantially as described.

H. In planters. the combination with the'sced and fertilizer dropping mechanism and discharging valves therefor. of a check-row lever operatively connected to the seed discharging valve; mechanism for operating the fertilizer discharging valve, a continuously driven clutch member 'and means controlled by said cheek-row lever for 0per atively connectingsaid clutch member to the actuating mechanism of the lertilizer discharging valve.

15. In planters, the combination with the seed and fortilizer dropping mechanisms and discharging valves therefor. ot' a checlerow lever operatively connected to said seed discharging valve, an adjustable tappet arm. means tripped by said tappet arm for operating the fertilizer discharging valve and a clutch controlled by said check-row lever for tmeratively connecting said tappet arm to the ground wheels. substantially as described.

1G. in planters, the combination with the seed and for rilizer dropping mechanisms and separate discharging ot' a check-row operatively connected to the seed discharging valve, a shaft. a clutch controlled by said check-row lever for intermittently connecting said shaft to the groiind wheels, :1 tappet arm adjustably mounted on said shaft and means vactuated by said tappet: arm for operating the fertilizer d.scharging valve.

t'ilizer dropping valves therefor arranged in line. of a chock-row rock shaft having an arm cpnnected to operate the seed discharging.

valve, a rotary seed shaftga clutch for intermittently connecting said seed shaft to the ground wheels, a trip arm on the check-row rock shaft controlling said clutch, a tappet arm adjustably mounted on said seed shaft and a springheld roclt arm actuated by said tappet arm and operatively connected to the fertilizer discharging-valve.

18. in check-row planters, the combination with the seed and fertilizer hoppers, discharging chutes leading therefrom and discharging valves in the lower ends of said chutes. of separate actuating devices for said seed and lertilizer discharging valves, and a check rower controlling the operation of lid actuating devices, the actuating de vice for said t'crtil .or discharging valve being adjustable, wherebythe fertilizer may be dropped at: different distances from the seed, substantially as described.

CLEMENT 

